If there is one thing I have learned in my eighteen years is that change is inevitable. If I could go back and tell myself one thing, it would be this. All the energy I spent trying to resist change could then be channeled into something worthwhile. It would not only save so much heartbreak; it would make me appreciate the good times more.
I was staring out my window at the dark wintery Portland skyline thinking about how far I have come. I lost my infant sister when I was just eight. Not even two years later I lost my grandmother to pancreatic cancer. When I was fourteen I was in an accident that left injuries that continue to plague me to this day. The phrase that gets me through every tough time in my life is a simple quote that originated from an old Sufi story. There was once a king in the middle east, who was constantly torn between happiness and despair. The slightest thing would provoke a strong reaction in him, and when he felt happiness, it would swiftly turn into disappointment or hopelessness. He was then given a jade shrine. The shrine contained a golden ring with Arab letters inscribed on it. The letters said: “This too shall pass”. The King was humbled by these simple words, as am I.
The boy who broke my heart when I was sixteen isn’t even relevant to my life anymore. Two years ago, I was convinced he would be a part of my future. Things change so quickly. One day someone is your everything and the next day you are strangers. People who you think will never leave are the ones who seem to make quick and painful exits. Every situation will change; regardless if you are ready or not. Once you acknowledge this, life is a great deal easier.
Sometime you’ll desperately welcome the change and other times you’ll wish that things could stay just as they are, frozen forever in perfection. Every thought, feeling and emotion is temporary and will change. People that believe that thoughts, feelings and emotions are permanent are more prone to self-destructive behaviors. Everything is temporary living in despair over something that will quickly be resolved seems like such a waste of energy.
When we are in the middle of things, it seems like it’ll never end. I promise you, your sunken heart will find a way to rise again. The happiness you feel right now isn’t permanent, but enjoy it nonetheless. All too soon life will get in the way and the good times will be over. Life is full of ups and downs and we can never truly know what is in store for us. What I learned is that it is important to live in the moment, take each day as it comes and not overthink things. We have to try not to worry about what the next day will bring or what it will take away.
Right now is a good time in my life, and I am excited for what lies ahead. I’ve survived all the ups and downs. Knowing that every storm that comes also comes to an end makes me confident in dealing with hardships. I don’t mind bad times because they make me a stronger person. And without the downs I wouldn’t truly be able to appreciate this great life I have been blessed with.
